City Manager's Weekly Info Bulletin 7/17/2015

Topics of Interest and Updates

Governor Signs Transportation Package

SEATTLE-On Wednesday, a delegation of officials attended Governor Jay Inslee​'s signing ceremony of the recently passed transportation package, which includes nearly $495 million to improve the I-5/JBLM corridor and help free up the daily traffic congestion. The ceremony, which took place at the University of Washington in Seattle, included Pierce County​ Executive Pat McCarthy. The City of Lakewood was represented by Communications Manager Brent Champaco and Management Analyst Adam Lincoln.

The package includes improves improvements across Washington to road, rail, freight, ferry and other projects that are intended to improve the state's overall transportation system. For the I-5/JBLM Corridor in particular, design and construction are scheduled to begin this biennium and be completed by the 2023/2025 biennium. This includes funding for the Gravelly Lake/North Thorne Lane Connector Road, which essentially will "open up" Tillicum to the rest of Lakewood. The proposal also includes funding for public safety enhancements for the Point Defiance Bypass Rail project and two local projects: Gravelly Lake Non-Motorized Trail project and Lake City Business District Sidewalks project.

Lakewood Celebrates Another Successful SummerFEST

This past weekend, the City of Lakewood celebrated its biggest party of the year at SummerFEST 2015. Thousands of visitors flocked to Fort Steilacoom Park throughout Saturday, where they enjoyed food, vendors, live music, entertainment and other fun. The crowd even had some reptilian fun
.

Earlier in the day, the City held its 4th Annual SummerFEST Triahtlon. Hundreds of competitors started with the swim at American Lake Park, then biked through Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Steilacoom and eventually Fort Steilacoom Park, when they finished the event with the run. Congratulations to Nick Johnson, the overall winner of the triathlon, as well as Dana Robertson Halter, who finished with the top time out of the women. (Full results
)

The City of Lakewood had its own team that competed. City Attorney Heidi Wachter swam, Surface Water Division Manager Greg Vigoren biked and Deputy Mayor Jason Whalen ran
. Great job everyone!

I-5 Restriction At Berkeley Street

Drivers heading to Tillicum from northbound Interstate 5 at Berkeley Street (Exit No. 122) will want to plan ahead. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, crews will close the left lane of the northbound I-5 exit to Berkeley Street. During the daytime closure, drivers will not be able to turn left onto Berkeley Street. Drivers will be able to make a right turn onto Jackson Avenue or continue onto northbound I-5.

In addition to the partial ramp closure, crews also will close the right shoulder of northbound I-5 near Berkeley Street. The closures will allow crews to continue work associated with an I-5 stormwater removal system. Drivers can get real-time traffic information on their phone with the Washington State Department of Transportation traffic app
, by tracking the WSDOT Twitter feed
, and get advanced information from the Olympic Region Construction Update
web page.

New Police Officers

The City would like to officially congratulate our newest Police Officers: Bryce Bontemps and Jeremy Keisler. They recently graduated from the Washington Criminal Justice Training Center.

Online Permitting

The public this week found a faster, more convenient method of meeting its permitting needs through the City of Lakewood. Starting Monday, July 6, the Community Development Department is introducing its online permitting system that residents can utilize via the City’s website.

The City’s new online module will allow users to run queries and view the different permits for a specific property. If you’re a contractor who has applied for a permit, you can check the status of your permit as well. You will also be able to schedule inspections online and check the status of the inspection request. But that’s not all. The City’s new system allows users to apply and pay online for two types of permits: hot water tank replacement and furnace replacement. Finally, business owners can renew their City business licenses online. (Note: Those applying for a new business license will still have to either print an application and bring it to City Hall, or apply directly at City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW).

JBLM Joint Land Use Study Meetings in Lakewood, South Sound

The Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) for Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) is nearing completion, and open houses will be held in July to seek public input. The JBLM JLUS is a collaborative process among federal, regional, and local governments and agencies; tribes; the public; and the South Puget Sound region’s military installations, JBLM and Camp Murray. The study is designed to create a collective regional dialogue around sometimes complex issues of balancing military operational demands and mission changes with the region’s and local communities’ land use plans, economic development and infrastructure needs, and goals for environmental sustainability. The study area generally encompasses those communities within two miles of the JBLM boundary.

Public Meetings

South Sound Military and Communities Partnership staff will be on hand to answer questions and receive feedback from the public on the ongoing Joint Land Use Study. Three open-house style meetings will be held:

Summer School Means Flashing School Zone Lights

Just because it's summer doesn't mean school is completely out. Many students in the Clover Park School District are attending summer school. Just like during the school year, flashing yellow school zone lights will be activated when before classes start (between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.) and once they let out (between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.). The City reminds drivers to slow down in school zones, or it could cost you.

Senior Center Offering Facebook Class

Hey seniors: Curious about Facebookcom
but learning about it seem overwhelming? The Lakewood Senior Activity Senior is offering a comfortable environment in which you can learn about and practice using the popular online website. (Did you know if you were to add up all of Facebook's users, the population would be akin to the population of China?) The Center is offering a Facebook class starting July 22. Call for more information at 798-4090.

West Pierce CERT Registration

West Pierce Fire & Rescue is currently taking registrations for the September Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes for those who live or work within Lakewood and University Place.

This free, 20-hour course teaches citizens how to prepare for and respond to disasters or extreme emergencies. Classes begin on Sept. 15 and are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for three weeks from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and culminate in a practical exercise to be held on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Classes will be held at West Pierce Fire & Rescue and taught by firefighters and paramedics who are subject matter experts. The course is limited to 25 students and there are no prerequisites, other than a desire to learn and help others. Read more

City Council

The City Council will be holding a regular meeting on Monday, July 20, 2015, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 6000 Main Street SW. Agenda items for the meeting include:

Proclamation recognizing Colonel H. Charles Hodges, Jr.

Business showcase – Ram Restaurant & Brewery

Reappointing Clayton DeNault to the Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board

Adopt model aircrafts in parks code

Adopt Six Year Transportation Improvement Program

Express support for the West Pierce Fire & Rescue levy

The City Council will be holding a study session on Monday, July 27, 2015, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 6000Main Street SW. Agenda items for the meeting include: